Greetings
One day into it, and Torin hated it like nothing before. The only thing that made him smile was Rikan's silliness.
Their fathers often weren't around. Channary let other people conduct the business with them. She seemed to prefer the company of the two younger men. She even offered to show them around the palace herself. The emperor had told them to agree, as it might help strengthen the relations between Earth and Luna. But Torin couldn't help wonder what Rikan had dared to mutter aloud: "How is one lousy tour going to change the relationship between two rivals?" But, nevertheless, they went.
It wasn't much of a tour. It was basically Rikan and Torin standing plain-faced, while Channary attempted to flirt with Rikan. As much as Torin despised Channary doing that, he knew he couldn't react to it. If he did so, Channary would turn her attentions on him, and Rikan would react.
"This is the ballroom. Recently we celebrated my coronation. Later this month, we'll be celebrating your arrival with lavish feasts, and beautiful music, and..."
"Gaudy clothing?" Rikan offered. It was all Torin could do to keep from snorting. Channary shot him a surprised glance.
"And here I was, thinking you had lost the ability to speak!" She gave him a sugary smile.
"And here I was, thinking you couldn't stop," Rikan replied dryly. Torin glared at Rikan. Channary looked amused. Torin was pretty sure if anyone but the handsome young prince of the Commonwealth had talked back to her, they would be dead or in a lot of pain.
"Oh, my dear prince," Channary trailed her hand seductively down Rikan's arm. Torin scowled. "If anyone but me had heard that... You may find yourself in quite a heap of trouble." She winked, although her tone made it clear she was serious.
"We are not ignorant when it comes to your powers, Your Majesty," Torin said before he could help it. "No matter how His Highness talks," he shot a look at Rikan, "we are not bumbling idiots."
Channary feigned surprise and turned to look at him.
"Oh! The sullen sidekick speaks also! It must be my lucky day." Rikan bristled at the word sidekick, although the insult was not aimed at him.
"Care to show us the rest of the palace?" Torin said. Channary looked him up down.
Before she turned around, she mumbled, "Mm. He's not bad either," and shot him a devilish smile. Torin remained expressionless. The anger he had felt when she had flashed that smile would do no good for them. Channary's parents had flashed that precise smile when they had beheaded his mother...
Channary continued walking down the corridor and, when Rikan thought she was out of earshot, he muttered, "What happened to Princess Levana? Do you reckon Channary killed her? Wouldn't put it past her."
Before Torin could reply, Channary called back, "My love, do you really think I'd be so base as to murder my own sister?" (Rikan nodded vigorously behind her back) "Her life right now is worse that what it would be at death. Although she would never admit it. She'll learn soon enough," Channary tittered. "Now, that's enough about her."
Rikan twirled a finger around one ear and crossed his eyes in the universal cuckoo gesture. Torin cracked a grin. Unfortunately, Channary chose that exact moment to turn around. Rikan had, luckily, stopped doing his cuckoo sign. All she saw was Torin grinning, although that, too, vanished as soon as she had whipped around.
Channary's lovely eyes sparkled.
"So you can smile. Such a shame you won't do it in front of me. You looked so handsome."
Torin was simultaneously thankful and terrified that Channary had turned her compliments on him instead of his best friend.
He bowed his head and said monotonously, "Thank you, Your Majesty." But he couldn't help but think, What was going on in that head of hers?
